Leviathan (Books III and IV)

by Thomas HOBBES (1588 - 1679)

Chapter XLV – Of Demonology and Other Relics of the Religion of the Gentiles, Part 1</a>

Leviathan (Books III and IV)

In Books 3 and 4 of Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes elaborates on the political philosophy set forth in the first two books, by considering the nature of a Christian commonwealth. Book 3 begins with a wealth of biblical scholarship, directed at establishing the authority of Scripture while at the same time undermining modern claims to supernatural revelation that would subvert civil law. Hobbes concludes that we cannot be sure of anyone else's divine revelation, and that religious authority is therefore subordinate to civil power. Book 4, titled “Of the Kingdom of Darkness,” sets forth the various ways in which Scripture has been misinterpreted by the church, according to Hobbes, in mixing pagan elements with Christianity. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia by Leon Mire)


Listen next episodes of Leviathan (Books III and IV):
Chapter XLV – Of Demonology and Other Relics of the Religion of the Gentiles, Part 2</a> , Chapter XLVI – Of Darkness from Vain Philosophy and Fabulous Traditions</a> , Chapter XLVII – Of the Benefit that Proceedeth from Such Darkness, and to Whom it Accrueth</a> , Chapter XLVIII – A Review and Conclusion</a>